Nokia N85 Unveiling Features Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Nokia N85 was introduced as a sophisticated slider phone, featuring a compact design with dimensions of 103 x 50 x 16 mm and weighing 128 grams. Its construction involved a mix of high-quality plastic and metal accents, providing a sturdy yet elegant feel. The device sported a mini-SIM card slot and was available in classic colors like Copper and Black.

Display Technology

The N85 featured a 2.6-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, offering a pixel density of approximately 154 ppi. This screen was capable of displaying 16 million colors, which provided vibrant and sharp visuals, a significant advantage during its time. Despite its small size compared to modern smartphones, the N85’s display was one of its strong points, ensuring good readability and visibility even in bright sunlight.

Camera Capabilities

Nokia equipped the N85 with a 5 MP camera utilizing Carl Zeiss optics, known for their high-quality imaging capabilities. It featured autofocus and a dual LED flash, which enhanced its low-light performance. The camera could record video at 480p@30fps, making it suitable for basic video capture. Additionally, the front camera supported CIF video calls, catering to the evolving needs of connected communication.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the N85 ran on the Symbian OS 9.3 with the S60 3rd Edition user interface. It was powered by a 369 MHz ARM 11 processor, which, despite being modest by today’s standards, was adequate for handling daily tasks such as calling, texting, and browsing the internet with its HTML and Adobe Flash Lite-supported browser.

Memory and Storage Options

The Nokia N85 came with 74 MB of internal storage, which was quite limited. However, it supported microSDHC cards, allowing users to expand storage significantly, with an 8 GB card included in the package. This expandable option was critical for users who wanted to store more multimedia content, such as photos, music, and videos.

Battery Life and Charging

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-5K), offering decent longevity for its time. According to Nokia, users could expect up to 363 hours of standby time and about 6 hours and 50 minutes of talk time on 2G networks. This ensured that users could rely on the N85 for a full day’s use without frequent charging.

Connectivity and Communication

Supporting GSM and HSPA technologies, the Nokia N85 catered to a variety of network preferences. It came with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and microUSB 2.0 for connectivity. Additionally, the inclusion of GPS with A-GPS support and Nokia Maps 2.0 offered users reliable navigation options. The device also featured a stereo FM radio with RDS and an FM transmitter, broadening its multimedia capabilities.

Audio and Multimedia

The N85 was praised for its audio quality, equipped with stereo speakers that delivered good sound output. It supported a range of alert types, including vibration, MP3 ringtones, and downloadable polyphonic and monophonic tones. The 3.5mm jack provided users with the flexibility to use their preferred headphones, enhancing the audio experience.

User Interface and Additional Features

Running on Symbian OS, the device offered a user-friendly interface that was familiar to many Nokia users. It included features like an accelerometer for auto-rotation of the screen, enhancing the usability of certain applications. The browser supported WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, allowing for a versatile web browsing experience.

Discontinuation and Legacy

Released in October 2008 and eventually discontinued, the Nokia N85 remains a memorable device for enthusists of the brand and mobile technology historians alike. While it has been surpassed by modern smartphones in terms of technology and innovation, the N85 is remembered for its unique slider design, robust build quality, and rich feature set during its time.

Conclusion

The Nokia N85 holds a special place in the evolution of mobile phones. Its collection of features, design integrity, and performance capabilities were impressive during its release, setting a benchmark for what smartphones could achieve. Though technology has progressed since, devices like the N85 remind us of the pioneering steps taken in mobile technology and Nokia’s influence in shaping the communicative world.